Chapter 3
It was certainly mid-morning when I woke up the next day. The sun was streaming through the window and blasting in my face. Pulling the covers over my face I tried to get back to sleep, but I couldn't, so I climbed out of bed and padded over to it.
Outside I could see a large back garden, with a pool. The grass still glistened with dew, making it look almost magical. Behind me the door clicked, whirled around to face Ariana. 'Morning Mum.' I smiled.
She came and gave me a quick hug, 'morning Hun.' She looked at the suitcase that was open on my floor, then to my night dress. 'We should go shopping today. You need some new clothes.' I nodded in sorrowful agreement. 'Ok, you get dressed, we can have breakfast out.' She hurried away again, leaving me to get changed.
I walked downstairs in a pair of blue denim shorts and a superman shirt, adding my white belt to hold the shorts up, they were hand me downs from one of the other girls, and even though they didn't fit they were the most suitable thing I had for the sunny LA weather.
Ariana already had the car keys dangling from her fingers, and she snatched them up as I finished pulling on my knock off converse. My phone sat heavily in my pocket, and it felt like I was a normal teenager for once.
The car journey was really short, and soon we were parked up and walking side by side into the mall. Ariana pulled the hood of her hoodie over her head as we walked in, and I was going to ask why when a swarm on teenaged girls came up to her screaming.
It took ages before we could break away and go into a store, Journeys. I looked around at the shoes before Ariana picked out a pair of red Vans and some floral Doc Martens. She also brought me some sandals, black ones with a strap at the back.
Next we went to Abercrombie and Fitch, where we picked out a couple of t-shirts, and 3 pairs of shorts. The last place went to was Victoria Secret, making me blush a furious shade of scarlet. I blushed even deeper when I was handed matching sets of lingerie.
When Ariana noticed my reaction she laughed, 'oh Adeline Hun. There nothing to be embarrassed about.' She took the underwear from me and we paid, before heading to a small cafe in the centre of the mall.
I had an egg and bacon bagel, with a cup of apple juice, the bagel was really good, and it filled the void in my stomach that I didn't realise was there. Once I was finished I leant on my elbows, waiting for Ariana.
She placed the other half of her bagel down and wiped her mouth. 'We need to speak.' She took a sip of her coffee, 'about school.'
My eyes widened, 'school?.' Shaking my head I looked away, 'really? Do I have to go, I know enough already.' Fiddling with my hands nervously.
Ariana reached across the table and took one of my hands, 'Hun, is there something you want to tell me? Anything, I promise to listen.' I broke eye contact and stared at the floor. 'Please?' She adds hopefully.
Finally I take a deep breath, 'there isn't really much to tell, but about 5 years ago, even before the orphanage, I lived in England. I was bullied because I didn't have nice things, when my parents died I was moved into an orphanage, but no-one wanted me, I was bullied there too. I don't know why, I just was.
Two years ago I was moved to Seattle, where there was a bigger orphanage, with more room. On my first day I made friends with this girl, who seemed really nice, but she turned on me, after she knew all of my secrets.
I've put up with the taunting and insults since, because if I say anything, every thing will come out, and that can't happen. At least in the past few weeks she hasn't hurt me as much.' I look up again, shaking as I held back tears.
Something dark flashed in Ariana's eyes, before she took a calming breath. 'Oh baby.' She whispered softly. 'No one will hurt you again, I promise.'
I looked up hopefully, 'really?' She nodded wiping away a stray tear that had spilt from my eye.
Once we got home I was feeling happy again, stood in my shorts I waited for Ariana to unlock the door, when it opened there was a man waiting there. Putting the shopping down immediately Ariana threw her arms around him.
Once she had given him a thorough kiss she turned back to me, 'Adeline Hun. This is Nathan. Nathan, this is Adeline, my new daughter.' I didn't need telling twice, I ran up to him and have him a hug, only coming up to his shoulders.
He hugged me back, even though it was slightly awkward. Ariana picked up the shopping again, 'Adeline, can you take these upstairs to your room? I need to talk to Nathan.' I took the bags off her.
'Ok, bye Daddy.' I smiled before hurling up the stairs, closely followed by Toulouse.
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Ariana POV (I won't do this a lot, but I wanted this part in.)
Nathan took my hand and twirled me around, halting me with a kiss. 'Now our castle is complete, we have a queen and a princess. Next our princess will have her Prince.' Something flashed in me again, and Nathan seemed to notice. 'Is everything alright Babe?'
I nodded, then shook my head, sighing. 'I don't know. It's ... I don't know how to explain it, I feel so protective over Adeline. Today, she told me about how she was bullied, I wanted to get those bullies. And now you mention a Prince Charming, I don't know. Nathan help me.' I buried my head in my hands, there were footsteps behind me, and I lifted my head to find my mother smiling at me. 'Mommy, what's happening to me?' I asked her worriedly.
She smiled again, 'it's nothing to worry about Ariana, it's part of being a mother, she's your child now. It's natural for you to be protective, especially since you don't really know her.' It was relieving to know that this was natural. 'So where is my lovey granddaughter then?'
Just then Adeline came hurling down the stairs, looking like she's seen a ghost. 'Mummy, there's a massive spider in my closet.' She cried, hugging onto me and sounding more like a 7 year old then a 13 year old.
Nathan stood forward, 'come on Princess, lets go get rid of it.' He removed her hands from around me smiling madly, was this an attempt to bond? 'Race ya!'
They both took off, and I had to bite back the urge to tell them to be careful, instead I turned to mum. 'Does it ever go away?' I ask desperately.
She shrugs, 'probably not, I've had it for 20 years, and it never has. Just remember I've been there before, you were a teenager once. It isn't going to be all sunshine and rainbows. Once you get used to each other things are going to be different. She's going to get a boyfriend.' She held a hand up before I could react, 'and it will be hard on you. But if that's what she wants then so be it. And you're going to have to guide her through all the other girl problems too.' I groaned. 'I know, but someone has to do it. And don't suggest me. Mother hood is a big thing, but if you need help you have me, and there are lots of people out there willing to help.'
I gave her a big hug, 'thanks mom.' I whispered in her ear. 'I don't know what I'd do without you.'
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Aww Nathan wants to bond with Adeline. I can see a daddies girl coming on. Wait till he tells her he has to go back to England with the boys. That isn't till later though so don't worry.
Ari's protective side is really showing through, all motherly. And that intimate moment between Joan and Ariana. I could literally picture it happening.
This story ain't gonna be all rainbows and unicorns (sorry Cat!) Adeline is going to have to grow up, and even you guys know what that means.
This is going to be a big step in their relationship though.
Any how please vote and comment.
Fun Fact: I've never been a mother, nope and I won't be for a while thank god. Even Adeline seems like a handful.
A second fact, I actually hate spiders, especially since there's been talk of that False widow. Scary stuff...
